Roommates, Rent & Real Life: A Guide to Sharing a College House in Duluth
Moving into a house with your friends sounds pretty great. Movie nights, shared meals, and finally enough room for something besides a mini fridge and a twin bed.
Then someone eats your leftovers, the electric bill arrives, and nobody knows whose turn it is to clean the bathroom.
Whether you attend UMD, St. Scholastica, or Lake Superior College, a little planning can make sharing a rental much easier. At Friday Properties, we want your home to be a place you enjoy coming back to—even when your group project is falling apart.
Here’s a guide to help you navigate the process of finding great roomates!
1. Choose Roommates You Can Actually Live With
Your favorite person to hang out with might have a very different idea of what “clean” means. Before you start house hunting, talk about sleep schedules, study habits, guests, pets, and household chores.
If you need quiet at 10 p.m. and your friend starts hosting people at 10:15, have that conversation now. Everyone should also agree on a realistic budget and move-in date before touring homes.
You don’t have to be identical. You do need to be honest.
2. Budget for More Than the Rent
Dividing the rent by the number of bedrooms is a starting point, but it isn’t your whole monthly budget.
At Friday Properties, utilities are separate from rent. Ask about the specific home’s utility responsibilities and available billing history so your group can plan ahead. Your budget should also account for internet, groceries, household supplies, and any applicable parking or pet costs. Plan separately for your security deposit and moving expenses.
Before moving in, decide whose name each utility account will be in, how you’ll split the bills, and when everyone will pay their share.
“I thought you paid it” is a terrible budgeting system.
3. Talk About Bedrooms Before Move-In Day
Somebody will love the biggest bedroom. Somebody else will want the quietest one. And somebody will insist they don’t care—until moving day.
Choose rooms ahead of time. If your group wants to split costs differently because of room sizes or features, agree on that arrangement before committing to the home.
Also think beyond bedrooms: Is there enough shared space? Where will everyone study? How will you manage the bathroom during the morning rush?
4. Make a Chore Plan That Includes Everyone
You don’t need a complicated spreadsheet. A simple rotation for the kitchen, bathrooms, floors, and trash can prevent one roommate from becoming the unpaid housekeeper.
Agree on what “done” looks like and how often each task happens. Taking out the trash includes putting a new bag in the bin. Moving dishes from the counter to the sink is a relocation project, not cleaning.
Decide how you’ll restock shared essentials, too. Toilet paper has never once ordered itself.
5. Set Expectations for Guests and Noise
Your home is also your roommates’ home. Talk about overnight guests, gatherings, quiet hours, and borrowing each other’s belongings.
A quick heads-up before inviting people over goes a long way, especially during exams or early work shifts. Follow your lease’s guest and noise rules, and remember that your neighbors may have very different schedules.
Good communication is more useful than hoping everyone can read your mind.
6. Handle Small Problems While They’re Still Small
If something bothers you, bring it up calmly and directly. “Can we agree to wash dishes each night?” will get you further than a photo of the sink sent to the group chat with seven question marks.
Report maintenance concerns promptly through the property’s designated process. If your roommate plans change, contact management early to discuss the next steps under your lease before making promises to a replacement roommate.
Find a Home Your Whole Group Can Enjoy
Sharing a college house can mean great memories, stronger friendships, and learning how to run a household together. Agreeing on money, chores, and boundaries early gives everyone a better start.
Ready to find your next place in Duluth? Explore Friday Properties’ rental homes and contact us to arrange a tour with your group.
We’ll help you find the house. You’ll still need to decide who cleans the bathroom.
Finding a college rental in Duluth, MN, takes time and effort, but with the right tools and strategies, you can secure a place that fits your needs and budget. Start early, use local resources, and don’t be afraid to ask questions and negotiate terms. With its beautiful surroundings and active student life, Duluth is a fantastic place to live while you pursue your studies—and the perfect rental is out there waiting for you!
